Biography of Interim Pastor  Rev. Dr. Jay Marshall Groat

Jay was ordained in 1987 in the Presbyterian Church and in 2007 in the United Church of Christ. He began his ministry in Illinois, and has been serving in Ohio since 2000. He led the First Congregational Church in Akron, Westerville Community UCC, and United Church of Granville. After serving as the settled pastor in those churches, he began serving as an interim pastor. He recently completed an interim pastor role at North United Church of Christ in Columbus.

Jay received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Mount Union College and both his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He received his Transitional Ministry training in 2021.

Jay and his wife, Vicki Owens Groat, have been married since 1982. They have a son, Jackson, a graduate of the College of Wooster (Political Science), who works in Ohio politics.

Jay loves to read, watch movies (film noir is his favorite), and grill outside.  He is an athlete and loves to exercise and play sports, golf in particular.